The Washington Nationals made it clear that they found Jonathan Papelbon more culpable in the skirmish with All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper, given that the club has suspended the reliever for the rest of he season. Some fans, through Twitter and other social media, even go so far as to blame the team's second half collapse on Papelbon. They were in first place when they acquired the reliever, who immediately replaced Drew Storen as the closer....

A woman wrote to Dear Abby this week after her husband left her for her best friend. Obviously the writer was having difficulty dealing with the situation, not only for her personal heartache but for the sake of her children as well. It is hard to imagine having to live through that, seeing as how you lose your spouse as well as your closest confidante....

The Cincinnati Reds may not be in the pennant chase, but over a dozen of the organization's former players are contributors to teams likely headed for the playoffs. Most of them are probably glad to be away from Cincinnati, given that they are playing important games in September. Believe it or not, however, there are a few who, in spite of being on a contending team, probably wish they were still with the Reds....

Fifty years ago Bob Dylan released Highway 61 Revisited, which is arguably the best album ever. Some could defend a choice of one of three of The Beatles albums, or even Dylan's very own Blonde on Blonde or Blood on the Tracks. One point that cannot be debated, however, is that Highway 61 Revisited is the first album to be flawless in that it has no bad songs....

The two most surprising teams in the American League pennant race are the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. Although both clubs have recently hit rough stretches that now jeopardize their postseason chances, the season must still be considered a huge success for them. Most spring previews had Minnesota finishing in the basement of the A....

The two most surprising teams in the American League pennant race are the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. Although both clubs have recently hit rough stretches that now jeopardize their postseason chances, the season must still be considered a huge success for them. Most spring previews had Minnesota finishing in the basement of the A....

During a recent broadcast of the critical Blue Jays series against the Yankees, one of the commentators mentioned that neutral fans should be rooting for New York. He then explained that people still disliked the Yankees because of their reputation for using big money to buy players rather than develop them through their farm system. The broadcaster went on to explain how the roles were now switched, alleging that Toronto's roster was filled with more "bought" players than New York's....

Few bands have been able to improve after releasing their first four albums. Other than legends like The Beatles, the Stones, the Who, Bob Dylan, and several more modern acts like Elvis Costello, the Kaiser Chiefs, and Fountains of Wayne, the fourth studio album usually marks a band's peak. Even though fans were disappointed when James Mercer announced that his band the Shins would release no more albums, I was actually relieved....

Toronto's Josh Donaldson should be a close to unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player in the American League, but there is no one like that among the National League contenders. Going strictly by the numbers, the two best players are Washington's Bryce Harper and Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt. Unfortunately, neither the Nationals nor the Diamondbacks will likely reach the postseason....

A new sandwich shop opening near Chicago would not really be news, only this one made the September 4 USA Today because of its unusual name. It will be called "Pork & Mindy's," a clever allusion to the sitcom that launched Robin Williams to stardom. Owner Jeff Mauro, nicknamed "Sandwich King," told the Chicago Tribune that the restaurant will offer casual sandwiches along with art and music....

As the regular season winds down and a dozen teams gear up for a pennant run, it is time to reflect on some of the most emotional points from baseball in 2015. These five stories do not feature the most remarkable accomplishments, such as no-hitters thrown by Mike Fiers against the Dodgers on August 20 and Jake Arrieta against the same Los Angeles Dodgers on August 30. Instead, these five incidents were for the most part brief scenes that continue to make baseball America's favorite pastime....

Songs that end with dialogue - During a baseball broadcast the other night, an announcer missed a golden opportunity to make a reference to The Beatles. She was interviewing a pitcher whose start had been scratched, allowing him an opportunity to explain the decision. The player responded to her query of why he was not able to take the mound for that game, saying "I have a blister on my finger."...

Songs that end with dialogue - During a baseball broadcast the other night, an announcer missed a golden opportunity to make a reference to The Beatles. She was interviewing a pitcher whose start had been scratched, allowing him an opportunity to explain the decision. The player responded to her query of why he was not able to take the mound for that game, saying "I have a blister on my finger."...

As has been the case for the past ten years, all but the most die-hard baseball fan has forgotten last month's All-Star game. Few people outside of Cincinnati probably remember that Todd Frazier won the Home Run Derby, and only a handful of fans of contending teams can readily recall that Mike Trout was the game's Most Valuable Player. Decreasing interest in the Midsummer Classic will soon drop the game to the apathy currently confronting the Pro Bowl of the National Football League....

The opening of Nashville Skyline features Bob Dylan saying, "Are we rolling, Bob?" He is speaking to producer Bob Johnston, the man who had also produced the great albums Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde. The famed producer passed away last week, prompting most fans to revisit some of the best material he helped create....

The opening of Nashville Skyline features Bob Dylan saying, "Are we rolling, Bob?" He is speaking to producer Bob Johnston, the man who had also produced the great albums Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde. The famed producer passed away last week, prompting most fans to revisit some of the best material he helped create....

Technology has allowed for nearly every aspect of life to move faster, which is generally a good thing. Information can be retrieved immediately through the Internet, documents can be sent immediately, and pay checks can be deposited without even a trip to the bank. Microwaves have saved families an infinitesimal amount of time when preparing dinner, and laundry chores have been greatly quickened thanks to the invention of washing machines....

The preceding year was far more famous, due to the classic George Orwell novel, but 1985 trumped it in several ways. Three songs by popular bands owe their titles to that year, which also featured a much more memorable World Series between two teams that are favorites to meet in the Fall Classic again now thirty years later....

Like a Rolling Stone" turns 50 this week, the first number one hit to describe someone's fall from popularity. Since then a variety of such songs have been recorded, including another one by Dylan himself a few years later." Here are ten of of those songs, all containing characters forced to adjust to life after a brief time in the spotlight....

The Cincinnati Reds have tried different managers, ditching Dusty Baker for current skipper Bryan Price. That move failed to bring improvement. Baseball's oldest professional team has also changed batting coaches, pitching coaches, lead off hitters, cleanup hitters, and even putting the pitcher in the number eight hole of the lineup....